Description

This project provides for an urban trail along the selected Purple Line alignment along Wayne Avenue in Silver Spring. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be established between the County and the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to incorporate the design and construction of the trail as a part of the design and construction of the Purple Line. The pedestrian and bicycle use along this trail supplements the County transportation program. The funding provided for the trail includes the design, property acquisition, and construction of the trail through the Silver Spring Central Business District (CBD), along the northern side of Wayne Avenue from Fenton Street to the Sligo Creek Hiker-Biker Trail. This trail is part of a transportation corridor and is not a recreation area of State or local significance. The trail will include an 8 to 10 foot wide bituminous shared use path, lighting, and landscaping. The trail will provide access to the Silver Spring Transit Station via the Metropolitan Branch and the future Capital Crescent Trail.

Cost Change

Justification

This project will create an important link through Silver Spring to the Silver Spring Transit Center and will provide connectivity to other trails and mitigate congestion on area roads.

Fiscal Note

Project implementation is contingent upon receipt of Tranportation Enhancement Funds from the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). The application was submitted to SHA in FY04 for $2.627 million and funding was not approved. In FY05, the application for Enhancement Funds was for $484,133. The Enhancement funds are on hold until the impacts of the Purple Line alignment on the trail are determined. An application is expected to be submitted in FY15 or FY16.

Disclosures

A pedestrian impact analysis has been completed for this project.

The Executive asserts that this project conforms to the requirements of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.